Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: UK

  1. Banijay’s The Write Offs Books First International Deals

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    Banijay confirms The Write Offs has landed its first international deals, having been picked up for Australian and Danish audiences.

     

    Metronome Productions will produce the local Danish version for DR1, while SBS has also ordered its own version of The Write Offs which will be called Lost for Words from Endemol Shine Australia. Originally created by Shine TV for Channel 4, The Write Offs gives a group of adults the amazing opportunity to change their own lives.

     

    Around the world ordinary people struggle with the basic skills necessary for everyday situations, whether it be reading a signpost, writing a shopping list or sending a text message to a loved one. Like the UK version, the Australian and Danish productions offer a group of adults the chance to change their lives forever. New doors are opened as they receive one-to-one tuition and face entertaining tasks to take them out of their comfort zones to improve their reading and writing. It’s an eye-opening and emotional journey, culminating in a moving and dramatic performance surrounded by their friends and family.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay: “The Write Offs is a heart-warming format which uses personal stories to address a critical issue relevant to every country around the globe. Whilst the subjects’ journeys are poignant and challenging, this uplifting show is full of heart, humour and triumph as viewers see the participants grow in confidence like never before, to share their newfound abilities in front of an audience of stunned and proud loved ones.”

     

    Lana Salah, Executive Producer at Shine TV adds: “Shine TV aims to create thought-provoking formats which entertain, and we are incredibly proud to add another travelling format to our roster. The Write Offs is an empowering series, tackling a sensitive topic with sense of warmth and fun, it’s going to be exciting to see how the lives of learners from Australia and Denmark will be changed forever.”

     

    Metronome Productions is behind hit shows such as MasterChef Denmark, The Block, TaskMaster, The Island and Ex on the Beach. Last year the company produced new formats Alone Together and Fabulous Dads, with both showing international potential.

     

    Endemol Shine Australia is responsible for producing ratings hits such as MasterChef, Big Brother, AustralianSurvivor, LEGO Masters, Married at First Sight and International Emmy Award Winning Old People’s Home For 4 Years Olds.

  2. Banijay Renovates Changing Rooms for Germany

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    Banijay today announces home renovation format Changing Rooms is making a comeback in Germany after 15 years.

     

    Commercial broadcaster RTLZWEI has ordered a 4-part series from Banijay Productions Germany, which is set to air later this year.

     

    This year will also see the legendary property series refreshed in the UK, making a high-profile return to its home market. Produced by Shine TV, the UK series will air on Channel 4, in partnership with Dulux.

     

    Changing Rooms sees two sets of homeowners from the same neighbourhood work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s houses. They might not share the same tastes, but they are completely in charge of creating a new look for the chosen room – and anything goes.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations, Creative Networks at Banijay says: “In a year when the world has been forced to stay at home, we’ve learned that property and interiors shows have become more relevant than ever before. Home renovation and DIY are thriving and viewers are hungry for inspiration for refreshing and fun designs. With the UK and now Germany updating the show to suit the Instagram and Pinterest generation, we are already seeing advanced interest in other markets.”

     

    Arno Shneppenheim, Managing Director at Banijay Productions Germany says, “Changing Rooms offers great renovations and high-drama as neighbours take charge of one another’s homes. Viewers can expect jaw-dropping moments as well as plenty of hints and tips on how to upscale and design with flair.”

     

    Shona Fraser, Head of Entertainment & Development at RTLZWEI comments: “We’re very excited to bring the “Changing Rooms” reboot to Germany and think it will be a perfect fit for our young female audience. We’ll be telling the story across all our linear and digital platforms to reach our audience on all touchpoints.”

     

    Changing Rooms first launched in the UK in 1996 and has been adapted in 12 markets. The format has made recent returns in the US where it is known as Trading Spaces, as well as Australia.

    Led by Arno Schneppenheim, Banijay Productions Germany has a diverse slate spanning entertainment, comedy, reality and adventure. Recent and forthcoming credits include Temptation Island and Temptation Island VIP, Battle of the Reality Stars, Stand Up 3000, Undressed and Sing On!

  3. Phillip Schofield Returns for RDF’s Christmas Series on ITV

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    RDF West, a Banijay Company, today announces ITV has commissioned it to make a fourth, 3×60’ series of prime-time factual show, How to Spend It Well At Christmas With Phillip Schofield. The series will be made in Bristol and is due to air this winter.

     

    How To Spend It Well At Christmas is returning to our screens after a hugely challenging year for families up and down the land. More than ever, people want to spend quality time with their loved ones this Christmas and, if they buy a gift, make sure it will be truly valued as well as cost effective.

     

    Phillip Schofield will be on hand to try and help us make sense of what’s on offer. With the help of celebrity guests, experts and members of the public, he’ll be putting the latest must-have gifts through their paces in the ultimate consumer guide to Christmas spending. From children’s toys, gadgets and gifts for loved ones and friends, to festive food – How To Spend It Well At Christmas aims to show viewers how to make seasonal savings and get their Christmas all wrapped up before Santa arrives.

     

    Jo Scarratt-Jones, Executive Producer, RDF West said: “In what has been a strange year for us all, we will be bringing viewers a really useful guide to where to spend their money this Christmas, as well as some much needed Christmas cheer from Phillip Schofield, whose love of the season is truly infectious. After a year to forget, let’s make this a Christmas to remember.”

     

    How To Spend It Well At Christmas With Phillip Schofield was commissioned by Priya Singh at ITV and is Executive Produced by Jo Scarratt-Jones at RDF West. RDF is part of Banijay and all worldwide rights are owned by Banijay Rights.

  4. Banijay Rights Sells We Got This To Sundance Now

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, today announces idiosyncratic crime thriller, We Got This, has been picked up by AMC Networks in the US, Canada and UK, for its streaming service Sundance Now.

     

    The 6 x 45’ scripted series, due to air this autumn, sees George English, an American living in Sweden, try to solve his financial woes with an unlikely solution – a 50 million Swedish Crown reward for solving the 30-year-old murder of the former prime minister, Olof Palme. English, played by Schiaffino Musarra, is grieving from the recent death of his father, and is then hit by the collapse of his career, when he receives an unsurmountable tax bill. Naturally, he begins to imagine that cracking the Palme case could be the simple answer to all his problems.

     

    Together with his closest friend, a not-so-intrepid journalist, who wants nothing to do with the case, a whacky conspiracy theorist and a former police officer, they follow the case into a web of twisted theories. After a major discovery, George finds himself on a head-on collision course with history, as their investigation goes from a laughing stock to a very real and closely-watched operation by the media, politicians, titans of industry and organisations that stretch far beyond the Swedish borders that, for a variety of reasons, would rather this case remain forever unsolved.

     

    Winner of the Series Mania 2018 co-pitch, We Got This is produced by Banijay Group’s Jarowskij and Film I Väst for public broadcaster SVT and Viaplay. Besides playing the lead role, Schiaffino Musarra is also the series creator and head writer. The drama finished airing in Sweden just days ahead of the announcement by the Chief Prosecutor, despite no new evidence, to close the Palme murder investigation, which had remained open since 1986.

     

    Sundance Now will feature its US and Canadian premiere in September 2020 with its UK date to-be-determined.

     

    Andreas Lemos, VP of Sales – North America, Banijay Rights comments,“We are thrilled to have a prestigious partner like Sundance Now on board for We Got This. North American and UK audiences will soon be able to enjoy this entertaining dark comedy born out of the unique mind of star and creator Musarra but built around the true-life mystery surrounding the assassination of Swedish PM Olof Palme.”

     

    Shannon Cooper, VP of Programming, Sundance Now, adds, “Sundance Now subscribers love to stream stories based on true crimes so this fascinating and funny approach to a real event makes for an extremely enjoyable series. We’re excited to partner with our friends at Banijay Rights to bring this true-life mystery to viewers in the US and UK.”

     

    Streaming service Sundance Now offers a rich selection of original and exclusive series from engrossing true crime to heart-stopping dramas, and fiercely intelligent thrillers from around the world; all streaming commercial-free.

     

  5. Banijay Rights Sells Premium Drama Wisting Into The UK

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has today confirmed that high-end crime drama Wisting starring Carrie-Anne Moss and Sven Nordin has been acquired by BBC Four in the UK.

    The drama is based on the best-selling books ‘The Caveman & The Hunting Dogs’ by writer Jørn Lier Horst. Set in the unique and stunning landscape of Norway, this series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer preying amongst them.

    Hollywood actress Carrie-Anne Moss known for her roles in The Matrix and more recently Marvel’sJessica Jones, plays FBI Agent Maggie Griffin alongside British actor Richie Campbell (Anuvahood, The Frankenstein Chronicles) who plays Special Agent John Bantham. The pair are brought in to help Wisting and his team apprehend the infamous killer who has eluded capture for years. Leading Norwegian theatre and film actor Sven Nordin (Valkyrien) stars as Detective William Wisting.

    Meanwhile, Line – Wisting’s intrepid journalist daughter – is chasing headlines, leading her straight into the path of the serial killer. Suddenly, an old case comes back to haunt Wisting, and a dreadful accusation is hurled at him. How will Wisting save other lives when he finds himself suspended and fighting for his own reputation, career and life?

    The 10 x 45’ series is produced by Cinenord in co-production with Good Company Films, Viaplay, Degeto Film, TV3 Norway and Ripple World Pictures. Wisting will hit UK screens later this year.

    Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted comments, “Wisting is a multi-layered drama. that is sure to keep BBC audiences in suspense throughout. It’s a classic cat and mouse thriller interwoven with some scintillating character performances from a stellar cast. I’m sure the UK viewers will enthusiastically embrace this fantastic screen adaptation.”

    Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition says, “Wisting has already been a tremendous success in the Nordic countries, and we have no doubt that BBC viewers will be equally engaged by such a likeable, emotionally complex lead character, and a compelling plot full of twists and turns.”

    Wisting is created by Katrine Valen Zeiner (Valkyrien) and Trygve Allister Diesen (The Third Eye) who also directed the series.

  6. Yellow Bird UK Triggers Book Options on Spotify Untold

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    Yellow Bird UK, a Banijay Group company, has optioned the screen rights for Spotify Untold (Spotify Inifrån), the gripping and relevant tale of the secretive start-up that evolved to become one of the world’s leading music services, Spotify. Penned by Sven Carlsson and Jonas Leijonhufvud, and published by Albert Bonniers Förlag, the novel is currently in development for a limited series.

     

    Based on tell-all-book, Spotify Untold, the drama will examine how a secretive start-up wooed record companies, shook the music industry to its core, and conquered Wall Street. A tale of tech entrepreneurship, this is a journey beset with egos, obstacles, and betrayal.

     

    Central to the series is Spotify’s turbulent journey into the US market; a chess match between the new kids and the old guard, with Steve Jobs himself stepping in to frustrate their progress. The Swedes had a secret weapon in the form of playboy billionaire and Napster founder, Sean Parker.  Jobs, meanwhile, sent in ally and music guru Jimmy Iovine to poach Spotify’s employees to Beats Music, soon to be Apple Music and Spotify’s primary rival. With a number of other obstacles along the way, the show taps into the cut-throat and rapidly evolving industry in which this major player sits as the kingmaker.

     

    Berna Levin, Executive Producer, Yellow Bird comments: “Spotify Untold is the ultimate tale of achieving the impossible and unimaginable. A modern-day David vs. Goliath set in the dynamic arena of the music industry, this is the true story of youth challenging the establishment. With reality trumping fiction at every turn, we will explore one of the greatest and most surprising technological advancements of our time.”

     

    Jonas Leijonhufvud, co-author of Spotify Untold: “We’re very excited. The rise of Spotify is one of the greatest stories to come out of Sweden in the past ten years. It’s a saga of a young founder who came out of nowhere and beat Apple at their own game.”

     

    Sven Carlsson, co-author of Spotify Untold: “The Spotify story is a drama at the highest levels of tech, music and finance. It’s perfect for the screen and Yellow Bird is the ideal partner, with their strong track record in making Nordic stories come alive on the international scene.”

     

    The series will be developed and produced by Yellow Bird UK, with Berna Levin serving as EP and Luke Franklin as Producer.  Carlsson and Leijonhufvud will consult on the project. The rights were sought from Eleonoora Kirk at Bonnier Rights.